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Directississima 

5.10b

   
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FA: FA: Jim McCarthy, Hans Kraus, & John Rupley - 1957
FFA: John Stannard & Howie Davis - 1967
Type: Trad
Consensus: 5.10 [details]
Length: 1 pitch, 200 feet
Views: 2,156 page views

Submitted By: Josh Janes on Feb 21, 2006


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Climber on Doubleissima, a 5.10 Gunks classic.


Description 

Directississima (AKA Doubleissima), is a fantastic crack climb on the right side of the High E buttress. It's well protected, very sustained, and long.

Climb up to the Directissima ledge and belay, or continue onwards, heading straight up off the middle of the ledge into the meat of the climbing. The crux comes in pulling through a small roof/notch. Belay at the top of the High E buttress and rap just right of the climb.


Protection 

Standard Rack.



Photos of Directississima Slideshow Add Photo
Tony Bubb gets started on "Double-Issima" (10b, S). This fine climb can be finished in a classic single pitch with a 70 meter rope. Photo by Michelle Moffat, 10/03.

Tony Bubb gets started on "Double-Issima" (10b, S)...

Michelle Moffat follows 'Double Issima' (10b) as a long single pitch. Photo by Tony Bubb, belaying in the tree branches overhanging the climb. 10/03.

Michelle Moffat follows 'Double Issima' (10b) as a...


Comments on Directississima Add Comment
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By Tony B
From: Boulder, CO
Feb 22, 2006
rating: 5.10b

Best done as a single pitch on a 70M rope to the very top of the wall. Gear is a little sporty in places. Great route; one of my favorites at the Gunks!

For a super punchy route, instead of going left under the last roof to the 5.8 finish, go up and right to join Lakatakissima (10b R/X) and finish on that. The really amazing part was belaying IN A TREE at the top of that route.

By Ivan Rezucha
Feb 22, 2006

The route goes right from the climber in the first photo and then up to a good-sized ceiling. It's really pumpy to get gear (mediocre gear) where the climber is, but you really want it, since moving right is vague and 9ish. The roof above is hard due to the pump, then steep and still pumpy 5.8 or so above that.

By Adam Catalano
From: Albany, New York
Jun 6, 2006

Incredible route, but PUMPY. Great gear can be had just about everywhere, if you're willing to sacrifice a potentially greater pump. I felt the bulge just off the belay ledge was the crux of the climb. The small roof had very decent holds all through it. The difficulty was that I was pretty pumped by the time I got to it.

By Byron Andrews
Apr 24, 2007

Super fantastic route. I don't know if the real crux is just above the ledge, but I can tell you that this is the part that scares me, as the gear is less than perfect and a fall here would be an ankle cracker. It's been a couple of years, but I think a blue alien just off the ledge helps. Caveat Emptor on this section, but it is one of my absolute favorite Gunks 10's. If you're up to it--do it.

By Risi
Nov 5, 2007

Dick Williams writes about this route "small holds on steep rock". The holds are actually pretty decent except for P1. Many times you come upon a bucket, but get no real rest, because of how steep it is.
The first 5.8+ pitch to the belay ledge is a bit tricky with gear, nuts and a ballnut will come helpful.
The technical crux on P2 comes right off the small belay ledge. It is not bad though, certainly not a 5.10b. Contrary to Byron, I placed two bomber nuts right off the ledge which were quite helpful.
The rest of the pitch, including the crux overhang are technically easier, but the pump is really a factor here.
P3 is delightful - steep climbing on good holds with one more mantle overhang and sugar white rock on the top.

Gear: nuts, small to mid-sized cams, #2 or #3 camalot below the overhang on P2.

By slim
Jun 8, 2009
rating: 5.10b

terrific route. the only knock against it is that the crux is not too far above a ledge. i was able to climb up and down several times, each time placing a higher piece, before comitting to the final crux section. a good level of fitness is helpful with hanging out and placing the gear. the rest of the route felt pretty casual as tthe holds are always good and you are never far from gear.

i would say it is a fairly good route for breaking into the grade if one is careful and good at tactical methods, or has good gear fiddling endurance.

By David Stowe
Jun 8, 2009

I think Doublissima is a great climb. The crux not being to far off of the ledge really is not a big deal as you can get in 4 or 5 bomber pieces if necessary in the first 15 feet off of the ledge. I would disagree however that this is a good climb for those breaking into the grade. If you are breaking into the grade I don't think that you want continuous sustained climbing where you have to hang in to get gear the whole way. I also think that the traverse off of the crux where you really don't have much gear other than the useless fixed ring for a bit would cause a bit of fright in a new 5.10 leader. A new 5.10 leader would also likely be pretty gassed under the overhang and find that to be quite and undertaking. Once you have a few tens under your belt I think that this is an excellent lead.

By slim
Jun 8, 2009
rating: 5.10b

is the traverse right the section where you are making a big step from gaston to gaston sort of thing? if so, i got a pretty good green HB offset in to back up the pin, a gold ballnut would probably be really helpful just under the pin (black alien wouldn't quite fit). at this point it was raining on me pretty hard and i kind of just had to get it over with. you are right though, you kind of have to make a 'move' there.

you're probably right, a good one for after you have done a couple 10's here. well worth aspiring for in the meantime and building up to!

By Dana
From: Philadelphia
Aug 5, 2009

I first did this route in 1979 with Kevin Bein. Kevin told me he had been the second person to do the route free, a year or so after Stannard's free ascent, and that he had never been so tired in his life hanging out on that wall placing pitons for protection.